Iced coffee has become an increasingly popular drink option, especially during the warmer summer months. Dunkin’ Donuts offers a variety of iced coffee beverages, including their medium iced coffee. But how many calories are actually in a medium iced coffee from Dunkin’?
The Basics of Dunkin’ Iced Coffee
Dunkin’ offers their iced coffee in small, medium, and large sizes. A medium is 16 fluid ounces. Their classic iced coffee is made by pouring cold milk over their signature cold-brewed coffee, then adding your choice of flavors like caramel, mocha, or vanilla. The coffee is freshly brewed and steeped for a smooth, rich taste.
The nutrition information for a Dunkin’ medium iced coffee will vary somewhat depending on the recipe. Plain black iced coffee will have minimal calories, while flavored varieties with added milk and sweeteners will have higher calorie counts. Therefore, it’s important to know the specifics of what you are ordering.
Nutrition Facts for Medium Iced Coffee
According to Dunkin’s official nutrition statistics, a medium 16 ounce serving of classic Dunkin’ iced coffee with cream and sugar has the following nutrition facts:
- 120 calories
- 2.5 grams fat
- 25 grams carbohydrates
- 25 grams sugar
- 15 mg sodium
- 15 mg caffeine
This is for a classic preparation with 3/4 cup of whole milk and 3 teaspoons of sugar added. As you can see, the majority of calories come from the added milk and sugar.
Calories Without Milk or Sugar
If you order a medium black iced coffee with no milk or sugar, the nutrition facts will be much lower:
- 5 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 1 gram carbohydrate
- 0 grams sugar
- 10 mg sodium
- 165 mg caffeine
Going with black iced coffee is by far the lowest calorie preparation.
Calories For Flavored Iced Coffee
Opting for flavored iced coffee will increase the nutrition counts. Here are some examples for a medium 16 ounce serving:
| Flavor | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Vanilla | 150 | 2.5 | 28 | 27 |
| Caramel | 180 | 2.5 | 36 | 34 |
| Mocha | 160 | 3 | 30 | 29 |
| Butter Pecan | 190 | 4 | 31 | 30 |
Flavored varieties add both calories and sugar. French vanilla, for example, adds an extra 45 calories and 22 grams of sugar compared to classic iced coffee.
How to Order a Low Calorie Iced Coffee
If you want to keep your iced coffee low in calories and fat, follow these tips when ordering:
- Request it black or with just a splash of milk
- Skip the sugar or flavored syrups
- Ask for skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk
- Try a smaller size like a small (12 oz)
- Avoid heavy cream, whipped cream, and buttery flavor shots
Sticking with a simple black or lightly flavored coffee is your best bet for minimizing calories. Or you can ask for an artificially-sweetened variety with zero calorie sweeteners instead of sugar-based syrups.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Iced Coffee
A few other easy tips for making your iced coffee healthier include:
- Request less pumps of flavor syrup if adding flavor
- Ask for half the usual amount of milk or cream
- Choose sugar-free syrups like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut
- Add a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor without calories
- Try using low-fat or nonfat milk
- Use a low-calorie sweetener like monk fruit or stevia extract
With just a few small tweaks, you can easily reduce the calories while still enjoying a refreshing iced coffee from Dunkin’.
Nutrition Benefits of Iced Coffee
While the calories can add up quickly depending on preparation, black iced coffee itself does have some nutrition benefits:
- Antioxidants. Coffee contains polyphenol antioxidants that can help neutralize harmful free radicals.
- Vitamins and minerals. Coffee provides small amounts of B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium.
- Mental focus. The caffeine in coffee boosts concentration, alertness, and focus.
- Endurance. Studies show caffeinated coffee can increase physical endurance during exercise.
- Liver health. Coffee may reduce the risk of liver disease and help protect your liver.
So while flavored, creamy iced coffee is a treat, black iced coffee can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. The antioxidants and caffeine provide real benefits.
Comparing Dunkin’ to Other Coffee Chains
How does Dunkin’s iced coffee stack up against the competition nutritionally? Here’s a comparison of a medium 16 ounce serving:
| Brand | Beverage | Calories | Fat (g) | Sugars (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkin’ | Classic Iced Coffee | 120 | 2.5 | 25 |
| Starbucks | Iced Coffee with Milk and Classic Syrup | 100 | 2.5 | 24 |
| McDonald’s | Iced Coffee (with cream and sugar) | 130 | 2.5 | 24 |
| Tim Hortons | Original Blend Iced Coffee (with cream and sugar) | 130 | 5 | 22 |
The calories are fairly comparable at the major coffee chains when ordering a classic iced coffee with cream and sugar. Variations in size, proportions, and sweeteners will affect the numbers.
Should You Drink Iced Coffee Every Day?
Iced coffee makes for an enjoyable cold coffee drink, but is it healthy to drink daily?
The main factors to consider are your caffeine intake and sugar/calorie consumption. The caffeine in a typical medium iced coffee (165mg) is considered moderate. Health experts recommend limiting caffeine to 400mg or less per day.
The calories add up quickly if you drink sugary, creamy iced coffee every day. But you can keep your intake in check by customizing your drink.
Here are some tips if you plan to drink iced coffee regularly:
- Stick to 1-2 servings of black or lightly flavored coffee daily
- Avoid extra pumps of flavored syrups and heavy cream
- Switch to decaf or half-caf if you experience jitters
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Consume iced coffee alongside a balanced diet
Moderation and customization are key. As long as you minimize extra sugars and calories, enjoying an iced coffee daily can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
A medium 16 ounce classic Dunkin’ iced coffee made with cream and sugar contains about 120 calories. Customizations like flavorings, cream, milk, and sweeteners significantly increase the counts. To keep your drink light, opt for black or lightly flavored coffee. While delicious, daily sugary iced coffees can add up calorie-wise. Overall, iced coffee can be part of a healthy diet when consumed mindfully and in moderation.
